Hacienda de Oro, Visitor Center, Vallarta Botanical Garden

Hacienda de Oro, Visitor Center, Vallarta Botanical Garden

Puerto Vallarta is a fabulous family destination, the weather is great (except in the warmest months where I sweat like a pig), there are hotels and lodging for all budgets, there are many things to do in town and around the town, many of them are either free or cheap and kids really enjoy the beaches and the many options that are for them too.

We’d heard about Vallarta Botanical Gardens recently and I read someone called it “a new favorite” or something like that, so I guessed the place might not be a bad option to visit.

Water lilies, Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Water lilies, Vallarta Botanical Gardens

We planned the trip on the last day in town, visited the site the night before to check the public hours and started off early in the morning, planning to arrive close to 10 AM.

The trip is south as if going to Boca de Tomatlan, passing Mismaloya and Los Arcos on the way.

Los Arcos on the way to Mismaloya

Los Arcos on the way to Mismaloya

On the way, we stopped by Los Arcos to take a few photos, but there was a lot of fog, just before leaving the place fog started to dissipate.

The next stop was Mismaloya, once again quite foggy, but the fog actually made things look more interesting than normal. There was a man there with an iguana, so the kids took photos with them and there was also a small green one they enjoyed cuddling too.


Mismaloya Beach

A short stop in Boca de Tomatlan by the highway to take a few photos of the foggy estuary and we continued along the highway, that at that point moves inland and you start some curves while you climb up into the hills, VBG is 5 miles away at this point.

Boca de Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Boca de Tomatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

You pass a small town called Las Juntas and Los Veranos and 1.5 miles further along the highway you’ll arrive at the botanical gardens, the gate is on the right side of the road.

This road is, by the way, the same road you’d take to visit El Tuito and learn a bit more about the Raicilla.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens Entrance

Vallarta Botanical Gardens Entrance

You drive down a short downhill road to the parking lot for the non-members (you can pay a membership and receive some extra services and discounts, useful for the locals, not the tourists) and you pay for your entrance, we were surprised that children had to pay too despite the website stating children are ALWAYS FREE, anyway, I was not going to spoil the trip for 6 dollars, so I just paid for both my kids (8 and 4).

We put on our sunblock and our bug repellant (just in case, my wife and I both got a no-see-um bite each, anyway, too tasty) and started off on the trails.

Flowers galore in the VBG

Flowers galore in the VBG

Being the end of April the forest and trails were quite dry, as would be expected, but the place is great anyway, many trees, plants, and flowers are tagged, you can learn a lot about plants, their names and their habits.

Paths are well laid out, with difficulty levels, so you know what to expect. There are diagrams around the gardens and many signs with useful information.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens, view of the visitor center and Hacienda de Oro Restaurant

Vallarta Botanical Gardens, view of the visitor center and Hacienda de Oro Restaurant

Where my wife and I spent most of our time was in the gardens around the main building, where the restaurant is on the second floor. There is a small pool with lots of lotus flowers, aquatic plants and fish (including a giant white carp). The gardens are just beautiful, the amount of flowers, orchids, plants, trees, etc., is overwhelming. I both felt happy and sad at the same time, happy to be there, sad to know I couldn’t stay forever… I took many pictures and enjoyed the scents, colors, and diversity.

The kids brought their tops along and played around on the terrace in front of the bathrooms; they enjoyed the flowers and plants too but did not invest as much time as us.

A flower we were told is called "Jade"
A flower we were told is called “Jade”

We hadn’t eaten too good a breakfast, the scents arriving from the restaurant opened our appetite, so we went to the second floor and on the terrace enjoyed a great lunch, with excellent service and tasty and very well made food, something that was completely unexpected, Vallarta Botanical Gardens has one of the better restaurants in the Vallarta area, just try the pizzas or the flan and you’ll understand what we mean.

Hacienda de Oro, the restaurant terrace

Hacienda de Oro, the restaurant terrace

Then we decided to enjoy a swim in the little river (Río Los Horcones), this is where we spent most of our time, the river (despite the season) was beautiful, waters calm and filled with tadpoles, which the kids carefully enjoyed too.

Horcones River, Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Horcones River, Vallarta Botanical Gardens

The forest around the river, filled with birds and sounds, the gentle clear refreshing waters flowing by. Time just flew by, nobody wanted to leave when the time came. When we left we made a promise to visit as soon as we are in town again.

Beautiful flowers in Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Beautiful flowers in Vallarta Botanical Gardens (spider lily)

The gardens are very well kept, the whole operation is extremely well organized, and the botanical gardens are exceptional in their diversity, their beauty and attention to detail. The restaurant and food available are exceptionally good and the river adds a new dimension to the trip itself.

Wherever you turn you find beauty in VBG

Wherever you turn you find beauty in VBG

To sum the whole experience up, a trip to Vallarta Botanical Gardens while you are visiting Puerto Vallarta is a MUST. You sometimes have an idea that zoos and gardens in small towns may be boring, disappointing or maybe even depressing; this certainly is not the case of these gardens which are easily world-class. Vallarta Botanical Gardens are highly recommended for people that like plants and flowers, families and anyone that enjoys nature and fresh air.

See the Botanical Garden photo galleries:

Author: M. A. Gallardo


Vallarta Botanical Garden is located on Km. 24 on the Coastal Highway from Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad, the phone number is (322) 223-6182. http://www.vbgardens.org

Last Updated on 29/03/2021 by Puerto Vallarta Net